i always thought the MR2 would be under the Supra in hierarchy, almost 70k dollars is crazy.

Toyota is the number one enthusiast brand right now they’re finally putting their wealth to good use. The amount of products in the pipeline is completely insane.

The original Gen 1 and 2 MR2 were based on the FWD Corolla with the engine turned around and located behind the driver. MR2 was priced low and ultra reliable. Two friends used their MR2’s as daily drivers. Only 2 seats limited its appeal, but it was so much fun. The new MR2 will not be mainstream.

At $70k they are gonna have a hard time moving these, especially considering the fact that the C8 Corvette is around the same price, but makes significantly more power

You had me sold on it until the price. It makes the GR Corolla look like a value purchase

The MR2 base sold for a reasonable $11,000 in 1985. A loaded new 1986 Mustang GT cost $13,600. I went with the Stang because of EFI and vastly improved handling. Now, if you extrapolate $11,000 to today's dollars, that's about $31,000. At that base price, the new "Mista Two" would be great. But a $40,000+ starting point is far more likely.

I can’t believe you didn’t think of the Corvette when thinking about affordable mid engine cars! It starts around $70k. With a big NA v8 😍

Man I hope we get this in the US! But that price gotta come down to at least the $40s- hi $50s! And I like that first rendering in white! But just get it here with descent power and we'll figure it out! Awesome review as always! 👌🏾✌🏾❤✊🏾

That is a funny intro starting out with 2007 having graduated H.S., myself H.S. graduation was 1978 then entered the U.S. Navy for the next 25 years 9 months and retired March 2004. Yeah! strange as it may seem, my 20th year retirement anniversary is nearly here and 47th year since H.S. Graduation. The Toyota MR-2 does bring back a lot of memories when deployed at sea and all the guys talk about thier cars or what they will be buying when we get state side/ done with our tour. For the married guys, it wasn't chatting about cars. How times have changed. So let's hear more about all the wonderful cars you have news on. Kirk, you really strive making the videos interesting and keeping us well informed. Thanks for your KZfaq channel.

15:44 To answer your question... It's important to note that the specific rules and requirements can vary between different racing series and classes. Manufacturers may choose to develop and produce the road cars before or during the homologation period. In some cases, racing teams may use provisional homologation status while the road cars are being produced.

Sticking with GR86 seeing this MR2 price 😩

Even though I owned a 86 Pontiac Fiero GT I always had great fondness for the MR2 or aka the Mister 2

The MR2 Turbo back in the day was quick as hell......

The best MR2, the SW20, was a "double-deck" rear end, and that should be a design cue that should carry over

Between Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, we’re re-entering a golden age of JDM enthusiast cars. They have all done their boring commuter car homework, and now they finally get to reap the rewards. I’m proud of all of them. They’re finally giving the people what they want. 👌🏼

The original (and best) MR2 was a revelation when it came out in 1984/1985 - loved by critics and public alike; sadly its character was lost in the Mk2. The MX5/Miata has survived because of evolution rather than significantly changing a popular format. I had a Mk1 MR2 in the 1980s and absolutely loved it - swapped to a Mk2 in the 1990s and found it disappointing, in comparison to my Mk1. I have a Toyota engined S2 Elise now, which i love and in some ways feels like a hard-core but upmarket MR2. To take the MR2 moniker, and keep the car affordable to justify its name, any new model should look to the Mk1 MR2 and the ND MX5/Miata. Every time i see an ND MX5, i always think it would look stunning if redesigned as a more cabin forward, rear mid-engined car; definitely an MR2 i would buy. Whatever car is being proposed in the multitude of KZfaq videos i keep watching about the alleged new "MR2", the cars being proposed are going to be way, way more expensive than the traditional MR2 niche - perhaps more a GR2? The only one i could see as an MR2 was the alleged Suzuki engined (was it a 1 litre?) rumoured collaboration.

There’s a company with enthusiast cars. Some AWD turbocharged tuner cars & some RWD with 5.0l naturally aspirated v8 engines. It’s Toyota. It’s a good time to be a Toyota fan

$100k toyota, let’s go!

Wow, Toyota! What is this? Looks magnificent!!!!!

Glad they're Bringing the MR2 Back! Also Hope They Leave Enough Room in The Engine Bay To LS Swap That Beauty!

I love the MR2, I had a 1991 sw21, it would be a dream to own another 1, but the corvette msrp is 68k... I think 40-45k would be a fair price to ask for an MR2, but 80k for a 3 cylinder? As much as I love MR2s I personally wouldnt make that investment over a V8 for over 10k less

Im so unbelievably hyped for this car. Planning on buying it day one if its around the 50k range

TOYOTA MR-2 CONCEPT Y’ALLL LIKE WOWWWW❤❤❤❤

The turbo model is the closest to this new one that we can come pair price too. If you look at the mrsp of a 1995 turbo it was $29755, run that through the inflation calculator, and you get about $60,000. The price for the new one at 70k isn't that off.

Can’t wait for Toyota to produce a new MR-2! I agree with Kirk and prefer the first (double deck) design over the second design.

The new mr2 renders look so good. I really hope they come through into production.

That car is sweet and needs to look like it like the LC 500 did , I’ll buy one if

I use to love the early 90’s twin turbo MR2 my family had Toyota dealership and I loved that car. Toyota does this right which I’m sure they will I’m an owner.

Kirk, you're not starting to get old. You're aging like a fine wine, more delicious every day. The first rendering is stunning but I hate the high beltline which restricts vision and light through the side windows. I don't like the second rendering but I do like the lower beltline. With a more open and airy cabin, it's less claustrophobic than the first rendering.

The MR-S is actually an amazing performance machine, but only for those who know how to drive it. Most people will not know how to drive it. That's why people underestimate it.

I prefer the first concept for 70k. Man, that’s such a cool looking car though.🔥Beautiful lines.😎

Pricing is slightly unfortunate but not unexpected. We have the GT86/BRZ then the Supra another step up, so it only makes sense for a new platform to be more expensive or at least above the Supra. The only question would indeed be how many will be sold vs a C8, 718, or any other ~70k car

By now, lots of previous mr2 owners have grown up and have set sights on Lotus Emira supercharged v6 400hp 6speed 3100lbs.

45K fully loaded possibly... But 70-80K takes it away from so many ppl

As a former owner of a white 87 and a red 91 😊 I miss both of them 🥺 we could use some excitement 😆 in the automotive industry (affordable) fun .

This thing looks amazing!

10:49 Im in a position to make that buy and id absolutely consider the White MR2 over a Porsche. Hands down. It would need to compete! But the looks are there.

Toyota I love you! You are my favorite car brand in the world.

I love both. But for me the front of the 2nd one with the rear of the white render ❤

I was initially excited but then very disappointed after the details were brought out. Being a current Miata (NA) owner and previous Fiat X1/9 owner, the MR2 has always held a very dear spot in my heart. I've always hoped it would return. After all, the Miata needs a sibling. However, MR2 and $70,000 is a recipe for failure. Nobody is going to pay that much for an "MR2". If this vehicle is going to succeed and compete against other high performance sports cars like the Lotus's Ferrari's, Lambo's etc. at that price, they're going to have to call it the FT-Se or FT-SGR since it's not electric, or whatever. Anything but MR2. The MR2 as you said is a "Mid-ship runabout 2 seater" and shares the same limelight as the Miata. I don't think anybody will pay $70,000 for a Miata either. The MR2 was developed to be a dependable sports for the masses, just as the Miata was. I was really hoping to see Toyota bring back the MR2, but in hybrid form. I own a 2018 Toyota Camry with the 2.5l hybrid engine. It puts out 208 hp and is very responsive and powerful, especially in Sport mode. I've always said that if Toyota would put this powertrain in a lightweight mid-ship 2 seater platform like the MR2, it would be the ultimate go-cart and be a ball to drive. What an amazingly fun car that would be! MR2's and Miata's have always been adult go-carts for the road, but an MR2 with the 2.5l hybrid powerplant would blow the current Miata and prior MR2 away in every category hands down. Plus, if I can get 50 mpg with that hybrid powertrain in my Camry, there's no reason why it wouldn't deliver 60 mpg in a low lightweight aerodynamic platform like the MR2. AND, it could be produced for around $40,000, keeping it competitive with the Miata and in the "proper" price range for the "MR2" name tag. Mazda is working on a rotary hybrid powertrain for the next Miata that you can even use to power your house with in the event of a power outage. Toyota would do well to follow that thinking and bring the Miata's cousin back to the table. THAT would be inline with the needs of this day and age and would indeed be a recipe for success!

As an AW11 owner, I’m very excite! Whoa whoa weewow!

It looks so amazing

aw11 ftw!! 28 year multiple owner and enthusiast. I'll believe there's a new mr2 when I see it on the showroom floor.

I’ve owned 6 MR2s and Alfa Romeo 4c and now a 2014 Cayman, Drive a Cayman there’s no comparison the Porsche is built rock solid and handles like it’s on rails. However I’m glad Toyota is making it a gas model and look forward to seeing it

Blue rhymes with MR2 . Light color interior hopefully to make the interior look bigger.

God damn I hope the Mr2 actually looks like those magazine photos. This looks sick.

10:09 Facinating. What a switch from the 90's in that the MR2 would be top dog on the TOyota line w/ the Supra falling mid pack and what? They keep the 86? Or 86 it for something else? 😆

Please come to the us market. I love the looks

Look very similar to LFA from a stance. Gorgeous Beast.

Love the look of this

I nearly spat my drink at the price. No no no a million times no. There's no justifying 68K for a 1.6L TOYOTA!!! That's more than their own base Supra! And sticking to mid-engine cars, a base Cayman costs 69K and 1) that base trim has a 2.7L not a 1.6 and 2) it's A PORSCHE! The new base Corvette is mid-engine, had almost 500hp, and also casts 68K!!! Toyota should have targeted an MSRP of 45-49K. 68 is just nuts 🤦🏽‍♂️

Kirk, what a great channel you run. This MR2 seems likely to be a superb car. However, at twice the price of the last one, it doesn’t appear to be a genuine successor. Btw, if you’ve ever specd a Porsche you’ll know you should add at least 25% to the base price to get to reasonable car. It makes searching for used one extremely irritating as so many have something missing you really want. That won’t happen with the Toyota; and the Toyota will be much cheaper to maintain.

Dude that looks so fine I personally like option 1 🤤🤤

The 2024 mid engine Corvette starts at 69K🤷‍♂️

Mid Engine Rear Wheel Drive? Wow i'm so excited now

An affordable turbo rear engine would sell

I had a 93' MR2 Turbo....Loved the car. I've had many cars...Elise, Z06, GT500, Alfa 4C, etc...right now have a 987.2 Cayman S and love it. Goldilocks car...There is no way in hell I would buy the Toyota over the Porsche if the price is similar. I'd love to have another MR2 if its made right but it needs to be in a lower price bracket to compete.

They better give it some power this time!!!!!!

I owned an MR 2 2004 it was the best car i ever owned and it was very very reliable good on gas it followed my commands right on , i miss that car so much the price was very good 22,000 thousand dollars used ..... the new MR 2 is beautiful but at 67,000 thousand how many people can afford that now with inflation the price of things going up i also saw on an another video that the new MR 2 would be between 24,000 to 31,000 hopefully things will be better with the price ....

They do this I’m saving now dude

Kirk, the prior gen MR2 was significantly more expensive than the last Gen. I think it was likely at least $28k and think it may have gone as high as $32k. When I think of MR2, I personally really think of the second to last generation. I hope you enjoyed your time in Marana. I live close to where you were staying. I love the desert. Be well. :)

Good. This means my SW21 will benefit from the interest and will become more valuable!

If it does come out and its under $70k ill go and buy one 100%... I love my 88 SC mr2 so much and have driven many of the other generations but the mk1 has been my favorite. Would 10/10 buy a new one of these over a porshe.

I prefer the white one over the red one. Hands down.

The second design is more of a heritage look! And I think they could make that double deck as well!

Trust me that single deck is the best choice for future upgrades or engine swap. I would've done two-three variant for those who wants the single deck and double deck.

dude you’re awesome

I don't know what others think. But I LOVE IT!

I'm glad they are not using EV power for the new MR2. Makes perfect sense to go with the 1.6 turbo 3 cylinder. It will basically have the wheelbase and curb weight of the GR86, but with a more rear biased weight distribution and more power. Very exciting stuff - I just really wish they would have a targa/t-top option. To me that is what stands out about the 1st and 2nd gen MR2 - aside from the affordable mid-engine design. If it comes in at $70k or more (with likely dealer mark-ups) I don't think I could justify this over a used Cayman/Boxster. Still have to hand it to Toyota for having the cojones to make a car like this.

The C8 Corvette starts at around $70k. Cheapest used ones are around $60k. Mid engine, 500hp, and overall it's a fantastic car and reviews are more than solid. It has it's haters, but it's the best bargain out there. Hence why they are now selling over 40,000 a year with an average transaction price of right above $100k. Chevrolet hit a home run with the C8.

I am excited for the new MR2, just hope I live long enough to see it happen. I currently race a highly modified 2000 MRS in Asia, which in stock form was like racing a rock, but is now viable after mods. The only drawback is that it is no longer street legal. So I would love to test drive a new one for the street in the U.S.

c/o ‘07 here too!!!

I would love to see and have a new MR 2. I call them Mister 2's lol

I like the previous rumors, the ones saying the new mr2 will basically be a Kei car/MX5 competitor and cheap. I want something like the Volkswagen XL Sport concept. The LFA 2 doesn’t need a DCT since it doesn’t have a high revving engine, an 8 speed (ZF8) will do just fine. I mean look at the G8X’s and new Vantage.

I own an '86. MR stood for mid-engine rear wheel drive.

Yes please.

Does the C8 start around $70,000?

The homologations have to be made in order to race in IMSA, not necessarily sold. The race car is ready, the race team is just waiting on the production cars to be made. So the FIA can do the homologation process and they’ll be ready to race. Also the new car will mark Lexus’ return to Le Mans

I heard it could be HEV instead of PHEV but the output of the system is ~1000hp. That 700ps output is for the engine alone. Another info I received is it could be under the GR brand as the GR GT much like the AMG GT. It could also be the Lexus GR GT. Time will tell.

2007?! 1997 graduate here yo! We are 10 years apart. 🙃

Let’s go places

I love 😍 option #2

The good one was the mid 90s with the 3sgte turbo engine 😎

Yeah i remember the year you graduated high school. That was epic. I Graduated in 96, that was epic af to tho. 100. Nothing but love, keep it real, werd. Pro tip, mouth open selfies are tough to deal with.

If graduated 07’ is old, what is graduated in 95’? Haha! Thanks for the video. Be nice to see the MR2 resurrected.

BestCar specifically said the MR2 will be a limited-edition special for JDM only. They don't have the capability to mass-produce the new MR2 (at least now) because it depends on the parts availability of the Yaris GRMN, which could be very tight given the strong demand for that car. That's the reason why the price is so high. It will be very rare and the Yaris GRMN already costs 8.5 million yen. So cost-wise the MR2 is ~18% higher than the Yaris GRMN. Now if the GR Yaris/Corolla lineup stays strong sales wise and they expand their production capacity, there is a slim chance the MR2 becomes a global mass-produced model. In that case we can expect pricing in the low 50k USD or even high 40k.

I won’t believe a 4th gen MR2 until I see it. I really hope they keep it between the GRC and Supra for price. Thats how it’s always been and I think it’s a good formula for success.

I like the white one, looks a lot like an LFA up front. I hope they go in that direction. I had a 92 mr2 and put over 200k miles on it with no issues. I miss that car. On that note , I will not pay 70k for a new one. I would rather get a new corvette.

Dude... I'd pick a Porsche Boxster over this any day. Especially if the top doesn't come down. It's gotta come in at or around Supra money. No one cares that seriously about Mid-engine. Gonna be some real disappointing sales figures.

Great coverage as always, Kirk! A mid-engine competitor that might cause some potential MR2 fans pause is the 2024 Corvette that starts at a hair under $70k. I know it's a totally different kind of beast and I don't believe it's going to provide the same level of reliability as either the new MR2 or Porsche Cayman, but it provides supercar levels of performance and styling that would certainly cause me to give it a look. Having spent a lot of time with various Toyota-powered Lotus models over the years, however, the MR2 would have to be brilliant in order to win against the new Emira, despite it's likely less reliable MB-AMG powerplant. Decisions, decisions... it's nice to have options, though, right?

Loving the fact that its at least still a possibility. But with a 1.3 3 cyl this shouldn't be in the same cost range or class of a Cayman or Emira. This is a class below. If its 60k++ its gonna flop. I'd say this should start at the very tip top range of a Miata... so what like mid 40s?

Imagine buying this instead of a 3.0 supra, jesus. Car manufacturers really do think we are stupid.

I had a 91 mr2 and it was a fun little car but not as great a handling car as everyone made it out to be. In competition there was better in its class. The 91 had a crazy snap oversteer problem that would happen at seemingly random times. Right after the apex of a corner when you'd start feeding the power the thing would just snap around on you out of nowhere. I had a couple saves with that car on the road and the track. Id I hadn't been in Karting my whole childhood before I drove that car, I definitely would have lost control and wrecked it...

That looks kinda like the sf90 it’s breathtaking

Nice

I honestly hope they stay true to the original MR2 and have some ferrari influences on there but from like modern ferraris just to be cheeky.

I have a 2004 MR2 .. is extremely fun ..but I'm not paying over 50k I'll get a Miata next time ..they can keep the horses..I have a blast around town

How does this compare to the Alfa Romeo 4C? Although not made anymore, it's a small engine turbo single deck lid, mid-engine car that was at the same price point

The performance increase doesn’t justify doubling of price.

I unironically thought you were being sarcastic when you struggled to name another mid-engine car at $70k. That's the 2024 C8's starting price. Big reason I have C8 is because I wanted an "affordable" mid-engine car again after having a Mk2 MR2 2.2L, Mk2 MR2 Turbo, and MR-S in the late 2000s and always follow news for a new one. Big selling point for the C8 is it's benchmarked against and closely matches the 458 (my dream car) in performance and design specs. I'm open to switching it out to a $70k MR2 but that's highly unlikely unless Toyota gives me a stronger selling point than the C8's selling point of being matched to my dream car.